Inside an Epic, Two Week New England Car Rally

After over two weeks on the road and 1,187.44 miles, the 21 stunning cars, which included a 1953 Bentley T-Type Continental, a 1957 Chevy, a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL, and an Amphibious Ranger 3600, taking part in the Jewel that is New England car rally pulled through the gates of Kykuit.

Courtesy of Leo Konopizsky

The cars and drivers began their adventure in Montreal from the with day trips to Clos Saragnat, Le Vignoble du Ruisseau, a private tour of Bombardier Aerospace, before departing for the Relais & Chateaux Lake Placid Lodge.

Courtesy of Leo Konopizsky

The touring continued with the fleet of cars climbing Whiteface Mountain to enjoy the autumnal colors from the 360-degree views of Vermont and Canada from the summit of one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. The following day brought everyone down scenic Route 73, and through the Adirondacks and to their home for the next three evenings, Relais & Chateau Twin Farms, the 1795-era property was home to Nobel Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis and his wife, Dorothy Thompson. Renowned for its private art collection, the original 10-bedroom property opened in 1993 and has since expanded to offer twenty uniquely decorated rooms, a spa, and the Farmhouse at Copper Hill.

Courtesy of Leo Konopizsky

Before departing Vermont, the group toured the Simon Pearce flagship store glassblowing workshop in Queechee and a Pink-Nic lunch held in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month. The road warriors followed continued onward to Hildene, the historic summer home of the Lincoln Family, before settling into the beautiful Berkshire property the Blantyre Hotel and enjoying dinner in the Lenox at Bistro Zinc.

Courtesy of Leo Konopizsky

Now in the tranquil Berkshires, the tour continues with lunch at the Ashfield Lakehouse, and a visit to first female Pulitzer Prize winner, Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount, and a special tour at the Norman Rockwell Museum hosted by the museum’s curator, Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Courtesy of Leo Konopizsky

On Friday, October 6th, and after eleven days on the seat, drivers enjoy a free day at the Grace Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT where they took full advantage of a day of leisure by stretching their legs in the Shakespeare garden and maze, or unwinding at the world-class spa. With Columbus Day weekend upon them, Jonathon Lyons led his ralliers to the Arethusa Dairy Farm, owned by former president and Vice President of Manolo Blahnik, George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis, where they enjoyed dinner at the newly opened Arethusa Al Tavolo Restaurant, which was just listed among the top 100 restaurants in America by opentable.com.

Courtesy of Leo Konopizsky

With the trip in its final dozen miles, they visited the Chagall Windows at Union Church in Pocantico, New York before arriving for a private lunch at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The evening saw all the beautiful cars pull through the wrought iron gates of Kykuit, where ralliers enjoyed their last group drive as they proceeded through the property and on to the Playhouse for the black tie gala going-away dinner, where Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rockefeller welcomed everyone. Cocktails and hors d’oureves were enjoyed around the indoor pool of the Playhouse before we adjourned upstairs to enjoy an intimate dinner. Following a wonderful speech by Steven Rockefeller the floor was handed over to Chairman Jonathan Lyons, who graciously thanked the hosts, and the ralliers for another wonderful Jewel event before presenting each car group with a metal memento from this event, which owners attach to the cars that they drove through this event.

Courtesy of Leo Konopizsky

The evening and the event drew to a close, as everyone made their way back to the Castle Spa & Hotel before dispersing and heading home. This two weeks of travel brought together friends from previous rallies, introduced new people, and celebrated cars the road and adventure. Until next time!

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